Simply The Best

56

"ARE WE sure about this? If it's hard to—"

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Ember sa kamay ni Ivo. "We need this," she told him. "It had to be done." Hinihintay nila ang pagdating ni Rod. She had to pull a few strings to get to meet with Rod. They needed to ensure security. Hindi lang safety niya ang isinaalang-alang, maging ang kay Ivo. Kaya naman kasama nila si Q roon at ang primary investigator.

Tumango si Ivo. His face was cold and stoic. She knew he was trying to control his emotions. This was not easy for him just as it was not easy for her. Pero kagaya ng sinabi niya, kailangan nilang gawin. Para sa katahimikan nilang dalawa. Para wala ng mga alalahanin o agam-agam. She was confident she could make him confess if he tried to have her killed. Kaya naman recorded and conversation na iyon. Ginawan niya ng paraan.

Rod smirked when he saw her. He was about to say something when he saw she was with someone. Kaagad na nagdilim ang mukha nito nang mamukhaan si Ivo. They had never met but he knew him.

Pinagmasdan ni Ember si Rod. Prison was not kind to him. Ang laki ng itinanda nito. He was also really skinny. Iyong tipo ng kapayatan na tipikal sa mga maysakit. His skin was horrible. He badly needed a haircut. Pero mukhang arogante pa rin. She could see the darkness surrounding him. Hindi na nito maitago. She had an impression prison made him a lot worse.

Pinag-aralan din siya ni Rod. Nakita niya ang kislap ng admirasyon sa mga mata nito. "'Still beautiful as ever," usal nito, halos wala sa loob. "Isang sorpresa ang pagbisita mo, Ember. Hindi ko gaanong mapaniwalaan nang sabihin sa akin na ikaw ang bisita ko sa araw na ito. Ano ang maipaglilingkod ko?"

Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Ember. Sinubukan niyang hulihin ang mga mata nito. She remembered how scared she had been to this man. But not anymore. What she only felt now was disgust. Rod looked at Ivo. The smug smirk was back. Ivo remained calm and cold on the outside.

Pinisil niya ang kamay ni Ivo. She needed him to remain cold and calm on the outside.

"So ano 'to? Kayo na uli after so many years? Pamumukha n'yo lang sa 'kin? Ibabandera n'yo lang ang relasyon ninyo? Grabeng pag-aabala naman 'yan. What makes you think na may pakialam ako?"

Nakikita ni Ember na gusto nitong magmukhang wala ng pakialam, na hindi ito apektado na makita sila ni Ivo na magkasama. Pero hindi maitago ni Rod ang totoong nararamdaman. Mababakas sa mga mata nito ang sobra-sobrang pagkamuhi. He absolutely hated seeing her with Ivo.

"I wanna kill you," Ivo said coldly. The kind of cold fury that could kill.

Rod scoffed loudly. "Same, pare. Same."

Muling pinisil ni Ember ang kamay ni Ivo. Ipinagpasalamat niyang nanahimik ang lalaki at hinayaan siyang magsalita.

"Ayokong magtagal pa kami rito, Rod. Huwag na tayong magsayang ng oras pa. May kailangan akong malaman."

Sinalubong nito sa wakas ang tingin niya. "Tiwala ka na sasagot ako nang totoo?" hamon nito.

Hindi natinag si Ember. She looked straight into his eyes. "Gusto mo ba akong ipapatay?"

Natawa si Rod. "Araw-araw. Putang-ina ka. Dahil sa 'yo nandito ako sa impyerno na ito. Putang-ina mo ka talaga. Pagbabayarin kita sa lahat. Tandaan mo."

Hinigpitan niya nang husto ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ni Ivo. She needed him silent for a while.

"May inutusan ka ba para barilin ako?"

Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Rod. Sa loob ng ilang sandali ay nakita niya ang pagdaan ng confusion at banayad na shock sa mga mata nito. That was when she knew. It was not him. He hated her to core but it was not him.